Ignition Timing Specs for 230SL

[perry113]

Hello fellow forum members.

I have a 1965 230SL automatic with 56000 miles. I have experienced 2 drivability concerns. One where at standstill and starting off I experience a slight misfire that clears up after a second or two when starting off. It clearly feels spark related. Normal driving is fine. But when you get the revs near 5000 rpms the car starts to break down and looses power.

I readjusted to points gap to .016 (.4mm) and found the off standstill misfire to improve by 80%. However the car still looses power up in the 5000 rpm range.

The injection pump was just rebuilt 2000 miles ago. I don't get any black smoke.

Can anyone tell me proper specs for the following:

points gap and ignition timing? My distributor is a single point type.

proper igition timing specifications.

My 230 manual has no provisions in it for ignition timing settings. Any help and guidance is appreciated.

Peter Perry
1965 230SL

[rogerh113]

Hello,

Could also be point bounce at that rpm.  There are several threads on pointless ignition solutions that would resolve that type of issue.

Regards -- Roger

[perry113]

quote:Originally posted by rogerh113

Hello,

Could also be point bounce at that rpm.  There are several threads on pointless ignition solutions that would resolve that type of issue.

Regards -- Roger

Rojer.

I think your onto something. Who's the man (or woman if any) to contact about a pointless igntion solution? Thanks for your response.

Peter Perry

[perry113]

WOW!!!!!!

I just discovered a wonderfull tool thats at our fingertips. It has all that I need to go further for now.
It's the Pagoda SL Group Tech manual

see:http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.HomePage

Peter Perry
1965 230SL

[graphic66]

Get a dwell meter to set your points. Setting the gap is a good starting point, but a dwell meter is needed to fine tune them. The dwell should be set at 38 degrees plus or minus a couple, I like 38 myself. The timing should be set at 30 degrees at 3000 RPM with your vacuum line disconnected and plugged. The car should run perfect with the points no problem. Here is a good explanation  http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/aa052502a_2.htm  With 56,000 miles your distributor should be fine, but it is possible to be worn also. I think if your dwell angle varies a lot while running that may indicate distributor wear. The distributor in these cars are very simple and easy to maintain.

[hands_aus]

You should put a couple of drops of oil on the oil wick under the rotor and in the oiler on the exterior of the distributor base just to make sure the fly weights and springs move freely.